CN105346464B

CN105346464B - Storage assembly with deployable compartment

Info

Publication number: CN105346464B
Application number: CN201410416093.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 徐伟
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2014-08-21
Filing date: 2014-08-21
Publication date: 2019-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-21
Also published as: US9371039B2; CN105346464A; US20160052455A1

Abstract

A storage assembly for a vehicle armrest box includes a storage housing, and a partition located within the storage housing and including opposing first and second portions. Also included is a guide track comprising first and second sections that support and guide movement of the first and second portions of the partition, respectively, the first and second sections being disposed in opposing relation at a crossing angle such that the partition does not need to fold upon itself during sliding. The partition of the storage assembly may be two pivotally connected panels which merge to slide synchronously during deployment and one of the panels may pivot open about the other panel after sliding to the deployed position to serve as a side wall of the partitioned space.

Description

Storage assembly with deployable compartment

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to storage assemblies having deployable compartments, and more particularly to a deployable compartment structure in a storage compartment of a center console box of a vehicle.

Background

In larger storage spaces, users often desire to provide compartments within the storage space that provide smaller, separate storage spaces, while also being able to stow the compartments when not needed to provide a complete storage space. Such as a center console box or glove box of a vehicle, is generally designed to be as wide and deep as possible in order to accommodate more objects in order to meet storage requirements, but has a problem of difficulty in finding smaller objects such as keys, cellular phones, coins, bills, etc., to be put therein.

To solve such problems, there have been various methods for dividing a smaller storage space within a storage space. A collapsible partition is disclosed, for example, in us patent document US8,011,710B2. However, the partition requires at least two hinges for fixing and pivoting, and is complex in structure and high in cost; meanwhile, as the partition plates need to be folded for storage during storage, more transverse space needs to be occupied, and the size of the whole storage space is influenced; in addition, even if a two-position hinge structure is adopted, the space is only divided into an upper layer and a lower layer, and the stored small objects are easy to slide back and forth and generate noise due to the fact that the front and the rear of the small objects are not shielded in the driving process of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage assembly comprising a storage housing and a partition located inside the storage housing, comprising opposing first and second portions, and a guide track comprising first and second sections supporting and guiding movement of the first and second portions of the partition, respectively, the first and second sections being disposed in opposing relationship at a crossing angle. The first and second segments form an intersection angle greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees. The guide rail is at least partially disposed on a wall of the storage housing, may be a portion of the wall, and may be recessed. The point at which the first and second portions of the partition contact the rail may include a projection receivable in the recess. The second section of the guide track should have a greater curvature than the first section. The partition of the storage assembly may also have a third portion pivotally connected to the second portion, and correspondingly, the track may further include a third section for supporting and guiding the third portion for pivoting about the second portion. The storage assembly may further comprise locking means for stabilizing the partition in the deployed position. The third section of the guide rail can also be provided on a wall of the storage housing. The first section and the second section of the guide rail can be arranged separately or can be connected with each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle center console box storage device including a storage case, a partition located inside the storage case, and a guide rail. The partition includes first and second oppositely disposed portions and the track includes first and second sections for supporting and guiding movement of the first and second portions, respectively, wherein the first and second sections are oppositely disposed at a crossing angle. The partition may also have a third portion pivotally connected to the second portion. The guide track may further comprise a third section for supporting and guiding the pivoting of the third portion of the partition. The storage device may further comprise locking means for stabilizing the partition in the deployed position.

the above advantages and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

For a better understanding of embodiments of the present invention, reference should be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described below in detail.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle armrest box assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the console box partition in a deployed position in the console box assembly of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a partition structure of the console box shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates one rail shape on the side wall of the console box assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of another rail shape of the console box assembly shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of another rail shape of the console box assembly shown in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

when referring to the drawings, like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements. In the following statements, various operating parameters and components will be used to describe the various embodiments as constructed. These specific parameters and components are used herein as examples only and are not meant to be limiting.

The present invention, through one or more of the following embodiments, advantageously provides, without wishing to be limited to any particular theory, a storage assembly having a retractable portion, thereby allowing storage space of varying size and optionally varying depth as desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, a storage assembly, generally designated 100, is illustrated, which is embodied in the form of a vehicle center console box storage compartment, but could be other forms of storage assemblies, such as a vehicle glove compartment, a vehicle trunk compartment, or any stand-alone storage compartment. The storage assembly 100 has a storage space formed by the storage case 10. Storage housing 10 may be cube-shaped or other suitable form having at least one sidewall 101. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the storage housing has a pair of corresponding side walls 101 and 102. As shown, at least one side wall 102 is provided with a track 30. in one embodiment, the track 30 comprises at least two sections, a first section 301 and a second section 302. In certain embodiments, the first section 301 and the second section 302 are similarly disposed on the first wall 101 and the second wall 102, respectively, such that the storage partitions 20 may be more stably supported and guided for movement by the guide rails 30 disposed on the first wall 101 and the second wall 102, respectively. However, if the storage compartment 20 is sufficiently rigid or sturdy, the storage compartment 20 may also be supported by rails 30 provided on only one wall of the storage housing 10, such as rails 30 provided on the first wall 101 or the second wall 102.

Referring to fig. 1, a first segment 301 is schematically shown with relatively straight tracks extending along a longitudinal direction L; while the second section 302 is schematically shown as a relatively curved track extending along the longitudinal direction L and the depth direction Z. "relatively straight" in this context may mean that the linear distance between the two end points of the first segment 301 is within plus or minus 20% of the circumference of the first segment 301 from one end point to the other. Similarly, "relatively curved" may mean that the linear distance between the two endpoints of the second segment 302 is outside of plus or minus 20% of the circumference of the second segment 302 from one endpoint to the other. Alternatively, the second segment 302 is more curved than the first segment 301, i.e. the ratio of the perimeter to the linear distance between the two end points of the second segment 302 is larger than the ratio of the perimeter to the linear distance between the two end points of the first segment 301.

referring to fig. 4, the first segment 301 may be disposed at a transverse angle α to the second segment 302, which is formed by the angle of the line between the two end points 3011, 3012 and the line between the other set of end points 3021, 3022. The value of the angle alpha is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.

with continued reference to FIG. 1, the storage assembly 100 also includes a partition 20 having a first portion 204 and a second portion 206. First portion 204 includes angles a and D and extends to form any suitable area toward second portion 206. Second portion 206 includes angles B and C and extends to form any area toward first portion 204. The first portion 204, in particular the angles a and/or D, is supported by and slides along the first segment 301. The second portion 206, particularly the corners B and/or C, is supported by and slides along the second section 302.

One end 3011 of the first segment 301 and one end 3021 of the second segment 302 together form the starting position of the storage partition 20. When the end points a and B of the spacer 20 are located at one end 3011 and 3021 of the first segment 301 and the second segment 302, respectively, the spacer abuts the adjacent side wall 103 of the storage space in the stowed position, as shown by the area enclosed by ABCD. Optionally, the end point 3011 and/or the end point 3021 do not necessarily rest on the intermediate sidewall 103. In this case, the storage partition 20 may be located at the stop position spaced apart from the intermediate side wall 103. The separation may be achieved in the portion including angles a and D, or in the portion including angles B and C, or both. One benefit of this spaced design is that the storage compartments 20 can be positioned by quick touch of the user's hands without any visual observation. This is particularly useful when the user is driving.

With continued reference to fig. 1. The end points 3011 and 3021 may be on the middle sidewall 103 and thus also on the boundary line 120 between the second sidewall 102 and the middle sidewall 103. In this case, the distance between the end points 3011 and 3021 should be equal to the length of the AB side of the storage partition 20. The same or similar configuration may also apply for the first side wall 101 and the intermediate side wall 103.

When the end points a and B of the bulkhead 20 move along the one end 3011 of the first segment 301 and the one end 3021 of the second segment 302 to the other end 3012 of the first segment 301 and the other end 3022 of the second segment 302, respectively, the bulkhead assumes a substantially horizontal deployed position, as shown by the area enclosed by a 'B' C 'D' in the figure, dividing the storage space 10 into upper and lower storage spaces.

Of course, the end 3011 of the first segment 301 and the end 3021 of the second segment 302 do not necessarily form a substantially vertical relative position, but may be adjusted accordingly according to the shape of the adjacent sidewall 103, and if the adjacent sidewall 103 is inclined, the end 3011 of the first segment 301 and the end 3021 of the second segment 302 should also form a corresponding inclined position for the partition 20 to be located at the receiving position closest to the adjacent sidewall 103 without occupying too much storage space.

Further, the other end 3012 of the first segment 301 and the other end 3022 of the second segment 302 do not necessarily constitute a substantially horizontal relative position defined along "L" and "W", but may be provided according to a desired shape of the isolation space. For example, if the cross-section of the storage space to be isolated for storing a cell phone or magazine is triangular, the second end 3012 of the second section 301 may be positioned lower than the other end 3022 of the first section 302 along the "Z" direction, thereby forming an angle of inclination for the partition to have a corresponding angle of inclination in its deployed position.

Furthermore, if the rail 30 is attached to the first side wall 101 and/or the second side wall 102, the rail 30 may be self-moving as desired, and the starting and/or ending position of the storage partition 20 may also be self-moving as desired. For example, when the end points 3011, 3021 are required to move up and down along the depth direction Z, the end position of the storage partition 20 may also correspondingly vary along the depth direction Z within the housing 10. Accordingly, the interior space within the housing 10 may be divided as desired in the depth direction for accommodating the particular storage requirements at hand.

Alternatively, when the rail 30 is not movable in the depth direction Z, such as when the rail 30 is integrally formed with the side walls 101, 103, one or more coinciding rails (not shown) similar to the rail 30 may be deployed to accommodate storage requirements of different depths.

In some embodiments, the storage compartments 20 themselves may take a variety of forms. For example, referring to fig. 2 and 3, the partition 20 includes a main plate 201 and a deployment plate 202 pivotally connected to the main plate 201 by a hinge 203. More specifically, the angles B and C are located between the main plate 201 and the expansion plate 202. When in the stowed position, the main panel 201 and the expansion panel 202 can engage and be proximate to the adjacent side wall 103. The main plate 201 and the expansion plate 202 can be kept in the attached state and slid along the rail 30 from the storage position to the expansion position as described above.

The track 30 may further comprise a third segment 303 in the shape of a circular arc, one end 3031 of which is located adjacent to the end point 3012 of the track 301 or coincides with the end point 3012; the other end 3032 is located above the rail 301. The third segment 303 coincides with a portion of a circumference having a radius of the width r of the exploding plate 202. The unfolding plate 202 can further rotate around the pivot 203 when reaching the other horizontal position or the unfolding position, and the free end E or F can slide along the third section 303 of the track 30, so that the unfolding plate 202 of the partition 20 can be further unfolded to form a small separated storage space together with the main plate 202, and the unfolding plate 202 can be used as a side wall of the small separated storage space to play a role in shielding and preventing objects from sliding out of the main plate 201. To enable the expansion plate 202 to remain in the fully expanded position, the angle β between the expansion plate 202 and the main plate 202 may be equal to or greater than 90 degrees.

Alternatively, the angles E and/or F can be provided with one or more connectors for securing the deployment plate 202 in a relatively upward position. The one or more connectors may take any suitable configuration including latches, springs, hooks, and the like. The one or more connectors can secure the spreader plate in place relative to the first sidewall 101, the second sidewall 102, and/or the top edges 401, 402 thereof. The third section of track 303 is not required if a connector is used.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a guide rail 30 on the first side wall 101 and/or the second side wall 102. In this embodiment, the second section 302 of the track is a curved track and the first section 301 of the track is a straight track extending through the side wall 101, it being apparent that the second section 302 of the track is more curved than the first section 301 of the track. One end 3022 of the second section of track 302 is located on the first section of track 301, i.e. the second section of track 302 is connected to the first section of track 301 at the end 3022 of the second section of track 302.

To ensure that the partition does not move or vibrate in the deployed position as well as in the fully deployed position, a locking device may be provided. In one embodiment, the locking means is a dimple 304 provided on the rail 30. When the partition slides to the pit, its end points a and/or B will fall within the corresponding pit 304, so that the partition cannot move in the horizontal direction, thereby fixing the partition at the designated position. Any other suitable form of locking structure may be used by those skilled in the art such as snaps, catches, magnetic attraction, etc.

As described in other paragraphs herein, the guide rail 30 may have various embodiments, and may be a groove or a protrusion formed integrally with the sidewall on the sidewall, a rail disposed on the groove or the protrusion, a rail fastened to the sidewall in an adhesive or fixed manner, and so on, which are well known to those skilled in the art. At least one of the partition ends ABCD may be further provided with a protrusion or a pulley to be embedded in the guide rail to enable the partition to better slide along the guide rail.

fig. 5 shows a variant embodiment 40 of the guide rail 30 on the side walls 101 and/or 102. In this embodiment, the first section 401 of the track 40 is a curved track and the second section 402 of the track is a curved track, providing a storage position, a deployed position and a sliding path for the two ends A and B of the deck panel, respectively. The first section of track 401 and the second section of track 402 are not connected. In one embodiment, a first section 401 of the rail that provides support and guidance for the higher A end of deck 20 is more curved and has a greater curvature than a second section 402 of the rail that provides support and guidance for the lower B end of the deck. In another embodiment, a first section of track 401 providing support and guidance for the higher end A of the deck plate provides a longer horizontal sliding distance than a second section of track 402 providing support and guidance for the lower end B of the deck plate. A third curved track 403 to provide a sliding path and support for the deck spreader plate and a locking structure 404 to secure the deck at a desired location may also be included in these embodiments.

Fig. 6 shows a further variant 50 of the guide rail 30 on the side walls 101 and/or 102. In this embodiment, the first section 501 of the track 50 is a straight track and the second section 502 of the track is a curved track. Except that the end of the second section of track 502 is connected to the first section of track 501 to form a partially curved non-diverging track. In this embodiment, the bottom end B, C of the deck panel 20 can slide along one end 5021 to the second section 502 of the track 501 to a deployed position and be stabilized at the end point 5012, while the top end A, D of the deck panel can rest against the side wall 103 in a stowed position and can slide freely to a deployed position or slide freely for a section and then along the track 501 to a deployed position. A third curved track section providing a sliding path and support for the deck panel and a locking structure for securing the deck panel in a desired position, as described and illustrated in fig. 4 and 5, may also be included in this embodiment. Additionally, as shown and described in fig. 4 and 5, the terminal 5021 need not be connected to the middle sidewall 103, in other words, the terminal 5021 can be spaced a distance from the middle sidewall 103. Similarly, the end 5012 can be spaced apart from another intermediate sidewall (not shown).

To accommodate the particular stiffness or flexibility of the rails 30, and to facilitate relatively smooth sliding between the starting and end positions, the storage compartments 20 may be somewhat flexible and/or formed of a flexible material, such as fabric, leather, plastic, or a flexible polymer such as rubber and reticulated rubber. In addition, the frame of the storage partition 20 may also be flexible and bendable. Non-limiting examples of the frame of the storage partition 20 include flexible plastic, leather, and durable fabric.

The present invention, as described above, overcomes some of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art by one or more embodiments. However, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art from this disclosure and the drawings and claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A storage assembly comprising

A storage case;

A partition located inside the storage housing and including first and second opposing portions, the partition further having a third portion pivotally connected to the second portion; and

A guide track comprising first and second sections for supporting and guiding movement of the first and second portions, respectively, the first and second sections being disposed in opposing relationship at a crossing angle, the guide track further comprising a third section for supporting and guiding pivoting of the third portion about the second portion.

2. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the intersection angle is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.

3. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first segment and the second segment is provided on a wall of the storage housing.

4. The storage assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first segment and the second segment is a portion of the wall, being fluted.

5. The storage assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a protrusion for being received in the recess.

6. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the first segment is straighter than the second segment.

7. The storage assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking device for stabilizing the partition in the deployed position.

8. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the third segment is provided on a wall of the storage housing.

9. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the first segment is spaced apart from the second segment.

10. The storage assembly of claim 1, the first segment being coupled to the second segment.

11. A vehicle center console box storage device comprising:

A storage case;

12. The vehicle center console box storage device of claim 11, further comprising a locking device for stabilizing the partition in the deployed position.